Two in line to replace bowling mentor

FORMER Test bowler Jason Gillespie or NSW bowling coach Andre Adams could be in line to join the Australian coaching panel after the resignation of national bowling coach David Saker.

Just days after Australia’s quicks destroyed Sri Lanka to secure a 2-0 Test series win, Saker quit with head coach Justin Langer declaring it was time to go in a “different direction”.

It’s understood the pair had clashed on occasions and despite Saker being contracted until after the Ashes this year he resigned.

Langer said they “had a hug” after the last Test in Canberra and conceded the time was right for a change.

“He and I have had a lot of conversations over the last six to nine months, so it’s not really a surprise to be honest,” Langer said.

“In a perfect world it would be cleaner at the end … but I’m all good with it.

“He’s been on this circuit for some time now … it is very hectic. And with the World Cup and the Ashes you have to have your heart 100 per cent in it, and if it’s not, it’s too hard.”

Tension was evident during the Sydney Test against India when Saker revealed he’d had “aggressive” conversations with his fast bowlers.

“The bowlers wanted one thing. (Captain) Tim (Paine) wanted one thing ... you could see there was some confusion,” Saker said at the time.

Australia’s frontline attack came under heavy scrutiny during 2-1 loss to India, with Shane Warne in particular pointing out the ordinary record of Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

The pair, along with Pat Cummins combined for 40 wickets in the four matches against India, eight fewer than the tourists’ three main quicks.